Relationship between family rearing style and 3–6-year-old children’s emotional and behavioral problems

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationship and gender difference between family rearing styles with emotional and behavior problems in preschool children aged 3-6 years, so as to provide reference for early prevention and intervention of children’s emotional and behavior problems.

Methods Using the method of stratified cluster sampling, 9 647 children aged 3-6 years old from 36 kindergartens in Wuhu, Lu’an and Fuyang of Anhui Province were selected in June 2021. Primary caregivers were investigated with self-designed questionnaire, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (parents version) and Parental Rearing Style Scale.

Results The detection rate of elevated SDQ total difficulty score was 6.5%, with boys (7.1%) higher than that of girls (5.8%). The detection rate of abnormal emotional behavior were significantly higher in children with high scores on doting, laissez faire, autocracy and inconsistency of family rearing style, compared with those in the low score group (χ ² = 210.32, 203.87, 102.70, 212.69, P<0.01), and the detection rate increased with the increase of score. However, the detection rate of abnormal emotional behavior in the high score group of democracy was significantly lower than that in the low score group (χ ² = 156.24, P<0.01), and the detection rate decreased with the increase of score. Logistic regression analysis showed that high-level doting ( OR = 4.31), laissez faire ( OR = 4.16), autocracy ( OR = 3.36) and inconsistency ( OR = 4.76) of family rearing style were associated with high risk of children’s emotional behavior problems, while high-level of democracy ( OR = 0.34) in family rearing style was associated with low risk of emotional behavior problems. The comparison between boys and girls showed that the risk of emotional and behavioral problems in the indulgent rearing style of boys was significantly higher than that of girls ( OR = 1.90, 2.13) ( P<0.05).

Conclusion Family rearing styles are associated with emotional and behavioral problems among preschool children. Boys are sensitive to the negative impact of doting rearing style. Good rearing styles is beneficial to the prevention and control of children’s emotional and behavioral problems.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探讨家庭教养方式与 3~6 岁学龄前儿童情绪行为问题的关联及性别差异, 为儿童情绪行为问题的早期预 防和干预提供参考。 方法 采用分层整群抽样方法, 于 2021 年 6 月选取安徽省芜湖、六安、阜阳3个市36所幼儿园的 9 647 名 3~6 岁儿童为研究对象, 采用自编一般情况调査表、父母版长处和困难问卷及父母教养方式量表对儿童监护人进 行调査。 结果 儿童困难总分异常检出率为 6.5%, 男童检出率 (7.1%) 髙于女童 (5.8%)。家庭教养方式溺爱性、放任性、专制性和不一致性髙分组的儿童情绪行为异常检出率均髙于低分组 (χ ² 值分别为 210.32, 203.87, 102.70, 212.69, P 值均<0.01), 检出率随得分增加呈上升趋势;而民主性髙分组的儿童情绪行为异常检出率低于低分组 (χ ² = 156.24, P<0.01), 检出 率随得分增加呈降低趋势。Logistic回归分析结果显示, 教养方式髙水平溺爱性 ( OR = 4.31)、放任性 ( OR = 4.16)、专制性 ( OR = 3.36)、不一致性 ( OR = 4.76) 与儿童情绪行为问题髙风险相关, 而髙水平民主性 ( OR = 0.34) 与情绪行为问题低风险 相关;男童中、髙分组溺爱性教养方式出现情绪行为问题的风险髙于女童 ( OR 值分别为 1.90, 2.13) ( P 值均<0.05)。 结论 家庭教养方式会影响 3~6 岁儿童情绪行为问题的发生, 男童是溺爱教养方式负面影响的敏感人群, 良好的教养方式有益 于儿童情绪行为问题的防控。